Severe air pollution episodes in Florence: forecasts results examination and emergency measures efficacy estimate

摘要

Since 1995 a method to forecast and manage severe air pollution episodes in Florence (Italy) has been developed. The Florence Town Council provides for the measures to reduce emissions and population exposure according to the air pollution forecasts, up to forbid the circulation of motor vehicles not equipped with a catalytic converter. During the last two winter periods (1995/96 and 1996/97), the Local Authorities prohibited the motor vehicles circulation in 10 days, with two different regulations. seven of these occurred before December 1996, however in six cases air pollutants exceeded the warning limits. Instead, in the 3 days that occur in January 1997 the concentrations measured were lower than Italian limits. In this paper an analysis of severe air pollution episodes is performed with two aims: